Mar18Introducing Jenny2013

I have some really really really exciting news (can you tell I’m tickled pink with glee)!!! I am happy to introduce to you a new friend of ours, Jenny Custock. We will be starting a new series with guest bloggers and Jenny is our first one (we have one more wonderful blogger I’ll be introducing later in the month). They will be coming to visit twice a month and sharing all the exciting, confusing, scary, beautiful, emotional, and happy things that they will be experiencing on their journey of pregnancy and into the first months of having their new babies. Jenny has impeccable taste that I have envied for years, so I know you will just adore getting a peak into her exploration of nursery decorations, maternity clothes, diaper bags, and all the other wonderful things wrapped up in the beautiful package of pregnancy. I’ve asked her to do a little intro so you can fall in love with her, just like we have!

Hi there! My name is Jenny Custock & I am over the moon excited to be a guest blogger here at Grey Likes Baby a few times a month! Grey Likes Weddings has been a constant read of mine since it launched & my husband Chad & I had the honor of having our engagement photos featured there a few years ago. When Chad & I got married, it changed my world in more ways than just learning what it meant to be a wife. I also became the step-mama to his precious little girl Isabelle. She was 2 at the time we got married & I was thrown into this new role without the time of adjustment & preparation that you normally would have through pregnancy & the early years. Thankfully, I have an amazing support system in my family & friends. I also relied on blogs like Grey Likes Baby & a few others to serve as inspiration & encouragement to me in those early mornings while the house was a mess around me, my step-baby was running around naked & my husband was still sleeping. I would cozy up with my mug of coffee & see what the blogging world had to share with me that day & I am sure so many of you can relate. I have learned a lot about motherhood & parenting through my favorite bloggers. I truly believe it is one of the best communities out there full of genuine people who care about walking alongside one another through their triumphs & struggles.

Isabelle is now 4 & we were planning on waiting a few more years before we had kids of our own to give us time to soak up the newlywed stage. But as life so often does, we were thrown a curve ball & found out in January that we are expecting a baby! Despite the initial shock & the conversation of “How the heck did this happen?!?” we cried our happy tears, told Isabelle she would be a big sister & spread the joy to our family & friends. A few weeks later announced to the world that Baby Custock was coming to the world September 2013.

There are still moments I cannot believe I am pregnant. I have always wanted to be a Mom. Even though the responsibility of Isabelle was overwhelming at first, I always felt ready & eager to love her & be a part of her life. I am 13 weeks pregnant & the love I have for my little one who is only the size of a peach is completely consuming. I started writing the baby letters on my personal blog because I wanted to document my thoughts. Every day something changes for the baby . It is growing so incredibly fast! I also feel like I am changing every day too…not just in my waistline, but my emotional journey through all of this. I want to remember how I felt each week & one day I cannot wait to share those letters with my little love.

Baby custock saying “Hi!” to you all :]

My purpose here on Grey Likes Baby is to document my experience the next 6 months. I will be talking about everything & anything from doctor visits, to picking out paint for the nursery, to baby showers, to buying massive amounts of mini shoes, to weird cravings, to preparing for labor & delivery, to how we are making Isabelle feel loved & special through this time, to maternity fashion, to documenting my growing baby bump. Thank you to Summer & Brooke for having me! I am so excited to have you all along for this incredible journey.

GREY LIKES COMMENTS!

Natalie Hazelriggon March 18, 2013

I am privileged to teach alongside Jenny at a Bay Area high school, so it is exciting for me to see what she has written. I wish that all of you readers could know Jenny, see her classroom, and sit down and chat with her. You can feel confident in her integrity and in her musings about life. I know you will enjoy getting to know her through her blog.

Becca McCarthyon March 19, 2013

Hi Jenny,
I look forward to reading your posts! My husband and I recently had the same conversation of oh my goodness, apparently we weren’t done have children. I am due in September too!

Comments? Please share with us

Your thoughts are an important part of our community’s voice, here on Grey. Feedback, stories, opinions and reactions are all welcome. We kindly appreciate that you mind your manners and remember the general adage: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Or perhaps: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”. Your mom would certainly agree, no?